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exquisite_tragedy's review against another edition
3.0
This is the perfect light summer romance read! This story follows Grace, a writer grieving over the sudden tragic loss of her bets friend and writing partner, and Claudio, a single father and artist. Her agent offers to let Grace stay at "her" Italian summer home for a month so she can focus on her writing. Grace takes her up on the offer, and when she arrives to the beautiful home she feels like things are too good to be true. What Grace does not expect is to run into her agent's ex-husband and son while skinny dipping in the backyard. What follows is beautifully steamy forbidden love story filled with heart and humor. I really loved listening to the audiobook, but could understand why it might not be for everyone. The narrators do a very good job of bringing Grace's Scottish & Claudio's Italian accent to life, but know it might be a little much for some readers (especially maybe for those who don't listen to audiobooks regularly).
emilytatum23's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sallystip's review
4.0
Seriously so cute and totally predictable, but in a good way, you know? Set in Italy, it'll give you all those sunny wine vibes. It’s such a fun and easy read and a total palate cleanser!
reeyabeegale's review
4.0
This is my second Karina Halle book and my reading experiences are composed of both new and similar things from when I read The Nordic King .
I like Halle's plots, which tend to be not so mainstream when it comes to romance books. I enjoyed this book more than The Nordic King simply because this has a smoother and more realistic flow of things. Definitely, this is a bit of an insta-love, but not cring-ey . Plus I love all the characters here, the focus still remained on the four main characters in spite of the many side characters.
One thing I noticed that makes me wary of Karina Halle is that her books tend to make me lose interest after the H and h gets together the first time. Maybe because her books are angsty and I love when characters pine over each other; all the sexual tension, etc, so when that gets taken away because we're moving on a different direction now, it bores me. It took me almost a full week of reading this book which almost worried me, thinking it will put me in a reading slump. This is not to say that she isn't good, it's just something that happened to me automatically when I read both of her books [I mentioned].
Initially my rating would've been 3 stars, but the game changer here really was the last three chapters. Though it's not perfect, Halle tried to show significant character growth and it was done in a way that didn't feel forced. I love the idea of everything falling into place in the pacing that it did, because otherwise it would've been unrealistic.
I recommend this book if you're looking for a quick and light read for the summer (though we're almost at the end of that season). In the future, I will still read Karina Halle's books and I'm really hoping I don't experience the same problem then. I heard good things about Lovewrecked , so I am looking forward to picking that up this year as well.
I like Halle's plots, which tend to be not so mainstream when it comes to romance books. I enjoyed this book more than The Nordic King simply because this has a smoother and more realistic flow of things. Definitely, this is a bit of an insta-love, but not cring-ey . Plus I love all the characters here, the focus still remained on the four main characters in spite of the many side characters.
One thing I noticed that makes me wary of Karina Halle is that her books tend to make me lose interest after the H and h gets together the first time. Maybe because her books are angsty and I love when characters pine over each other; all the sexual tension, etc, so when that gets taken away because we're moving on a different direction now, it bores me. It took me almost a full week of reading this book which almost worried me, thinking it will put me in a reading slump. This is not to say that she isn't good, it's just something that happened to me automatically when I read both of her books [I mentioned].
Initially my rating would've been 3 stars, but the game changer here really was the last three chapters. Though it's not perfect, Halle tried to show significant character growth and it was done in a way that didn't feel forced. I love the idea of everything falling into place in the pacing that it did, because otherwise it would've been unrealistic.
I recommend this book if you're looking for a quick and light read for the summer (though we're almost at the end of that season). In the future, I will still read Karina Halle's books and I'm really hoping I don't experience the same problem then. I heard good things about Lovewrecked , so I am looking forward to picking that up this year as well.
bhavyamarya's review
4.0
“I want you to see me as I really am, how I really feel, everything open. Nothing to hide. The real me.”
I absolutely adored this book. Karina Halle pulled me into this world with her amazing writing. The whole atmosphere of this book was like a warm hug.
I loved their story from the very beginning. Their first meeting was incredible. I was laughing so hard. I also loved the deep conversations they would sink into. I could definitely sense the connection they both shared.
Another thing I liked about this book that the romance involved Vanni so much. They took his feelings of their relationship into account. He was such a cute kid. Also, this book didn't have any unnecessary drama in the end which I totally respect.
Grace was so relatable at times that it made me laugh and Claudio could not have been any swoonier. He handled each situation gracefully.
It honestly felt like I was right there on vacation with Grace. I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for the perfect feel good romance.
I absolutely adored this book. Karina Halle pulled me into this world with her amazing writing. The whole atmosphere of this book was like a warm hug.
I loved their story from the very beginning. Their first meeting was incredible. I was laughing so hard. I also loved the deep conversations they would sink into. I could definitely sense the connection they both shared.
Another thing I liked about this book that the romance involved Vanni so much. They took his feelings of their relationship into account. He was such a cute kid. Also, this book didn't have any unnecessary drama in the end which I totally respect.
Grace was so relatable at times that it made me laugh and Claudio could not have been any swoonier. He handled each situation gracefully.
It honestly felt like I was right there on vacation with Grace. I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for the perfect feel good romance.
netherfield's review against another edition
3.0
"I know that if you just trust me, if you give me your heart, I will carry it with me. I will be kind and gentle with it. I will always keep it tucked nex to mine."
fun and quick read but i think it's crazy that they've known each other for one month and yet would sacrifice so much to be together... (also i felt like whenever claudio was with grace he forgot he had a son). the ending was very cute tho!!! i love that grace got everything she wanted
kikkireads123's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
the_bookish_angel's review against another edition
3.0
For the most part, I really like this book. It's a fun rom com. There were moments that made me laugh and others had me blushing. It's a really strong romance book. The characters are great. I really like Grace as a protagnist. Her grief over her best friend's death felt very real. I also related to her inability to write and her writer's block. I am currently suppose to write a essay for my english class but i'm procrastinating by writing this book review. So I definitely understand where she's coming from. I also surprising like Jana. Her story as a mother and a high power career women was really interesting to read about. It help give her character more complexity that I felt she really needed to not seem like a villan.
My only issue with this book is actually the romance. I felt like Grace fell very hard and very fast. It felt a little like love-at-first sight. By the end of the book, they were discussing marriage after only knowing each other for a few months and were engaged by the epilogue. Other people might find this satisfying but I'm a bit more realistic when it comes to romances and would have preferred for them to wait a year. But that's just me.
For my complete review of One Hot Italian Summer, check out my blog: https://thebookangel1.blogspot.com/2020/08/book-review-one-hot-italian-summer-by.html#more
My only issue with this book is actually the romance. I felt like Grace fell very hard and very fast. It felt a little like love-at-first sight. By the end of the book, they were discussing marriage after only knowing each other for a few months and were engaged by the epilogue. Other people might find this satisfying but I'm a bit more realistic when it comes to romances and would have preferred for them to wait a year. But that's just me.
For my complete review of One Hot Italian Summer, check out my blog: https://thebookangel1.blogspot.com/2020/08/book-review-one-hot-italian-summer-by.html#more